Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment cooled by a refrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment fan, and a freezing compartment cooled by a freezing compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan. A filler is provided on one of pair of doors to shield a gap between the pair of doors when the pair of doors are closed, a filler heater is provided inside the filler, and a controller is configured to control operations of the refrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartment fan, the filler heater, and a compressor. When the refrigerating compartment evaporator performs a defrosting operation, the controller turns on the refrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater in state in that the compressor turns off so that heated air inside the refrigerating compartment is circulated to pass through the refrigerating compartment evaporator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2021-0008178, filed in Korea on Jan. 20, 2021,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method forcontrolling the same.

2. Background

A refrigerator is a home appliance for storing foods in an internalstorage space, which is shield by a door, at a low temperature by lowtemperature air. For this, the refrigerator is configured to accommodatethe stored food in an optimum state by cooling the internal storagespace using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerantcirculating in a refrigeration cycle.

In recent years, refrigerators have become increasingly multi-functionalwith changes of dietary lives and gentrification of products, andrefrigerators having various structures and convenience devices forconvenience of users and for efficient use of internal spaces have beenreleased.

In addition, the refrigerator is a device to which power is alwayssupplied, and refrigerators having various structures and controlmethods have been developed to reduce power consumption due to thenature of its use.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0238059, the subject matter of whichis incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for controllingdefrosting of a refrigerator, in which, after a compressor is turnedoff, when a temperature inside a refrigerating compartment reaches a settemperature, a refrigerating compartment fan is turned on for apredetermined time to prevent frost from being frozen in an evaporator,thereby improving natural defrosting performance.

However, when an ice maker is disposed in a region of the refrigeratingcompartment, cold air for making ice flows from a freezing compartmentto the ice maker. A duct through which the cold air flows passes throughthe region of the refrigerating compartment to affect the temperatureinside the refrigerator at the corresponding position. In addition, evenduring an operation for the natural defrosting, the cold air having alow temperature is penetrated into the refrigerating compartment, andthus, the natural defrosting is not smoothly performed. Accordingly,there is a limitation in that defrosting reliability is deteriorated, aswell as power consumption increases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the refrigerator with a door opened;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an arrangement of an inner case and an icemaker-side cold air passage of the refrigerator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerating compartmentdoor of the refrigerator;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a control signal in therefrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performinga defrosting operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performinga defrosting operation of a refrigerator according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when afiller heater does not operate in the refrigerator according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when thefiller heater operates in the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowin more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should benoted that when components in the drawings are designated by referencenumerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far aspossible even though the components are illustrated in differentdrawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the presentinvention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions ofwell-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of theembodiments of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will beomitted.

In addition, the embodiment will be described with an example of arefrigerator configured with a single door for convenience ofexplanation and understanding, and it should be noted in advance thatthe present disclosure is applicable to all refrigerators provided witha door.

A direction will be defined prior to the explanation. In FIG. 1, adirection in which the door is disposed with respect to a cabinet isreferred to as a front side, a direction in which the cabinet isdisposed with respect to the door is referred to as a rear side, adirection toward a bottom surface on which the cabinet is installed isreferred to as a downward side, and a direction away from the bottomsurface on which the cabinet is installed is referred to as a upwardside.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.FIG. 2 is a view of the refrigerator with a door opened. FIG. 3 is aview illustrating an arrangement of an inner case and an ice maker-sidecold air passage of the refrigerator.

A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes a cabinet 10defining a storage space and a door 20 opening and closing the storagespace of the cabinet 10. Here, an outer appearance of the refrigerator 1may be defined by the cabinet 10 and the door 20.

The cabinet 10 may include an outer case 101 defining an outer surfaceand made of a metal material and an inner case 102 coupled to the outercase 101 to define the storage space in the refrigerator 1 and made of aresin material. In addition, an insulating material is filled betweenthe outer case 101 and the inner case 102 to insulate the storage spaceinside the cabinet 10. Also, the storage space may be divided verticallybased on a barrier 11 and may be constituted by an upper refrigeratingcompartment 12 and a lower freezing compartment 13.

A refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and a freezing compartmentevaporator 131 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 12 andthe freezing compartment 13 to independently cool the refrigeratingcompartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13, respectively. Therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and the freezing compartmentevaporator 131 may be connected to a compressor 34, and a refrigerantdischarged from the compressor 34 may be branched and supplied to therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 and the freezing compartmentevaporator 131.

A refrigerating compartment fan 122 and a freezing compartment fan 132may be provided at sides of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121and the freezing compartment evaporator 131, respectively. Thus, airinside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be circulated to pass (orpass through) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by driving ofthe refrigerating compartment fan 122, and the heat-exchanged airpassing through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may besupplied to the refrigerating compartment 12 to cool the refrigeratingcompartment 12 to a set temperature.

In addition, air inside the freezing compartment 13 may be circulated topass (or pass through) the freezing compartment evaporator 131 bydriving of the freezing compartment fan 132, and the heat-exchanged airpassing through the freezing compartment evaporator 131 may be suppliedto the freezing compartment 13 to cool the freezing compartment 13 to aset temperature.

The door 20 may include a refrigerating compartment door 21 and afreezing compartment door 22, which respectively independently open andclose the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13.The refrigerating compartment door 21 and the freezing compartment door22 may have structures that are capable of respectively opening andclosing the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13through rotation thereof. For this, all the refrigerating compartmentdoor 21 and the freezing compartment door 22 may be rotatably connectedto the cabinet 10 through a hinge device 23. Also, the refrigeratingcompartment door 21 may be a French type door in which a pair of doorsdisposed on both left and right sides independently rotates.

A filler 26 may be provided on an end of the refrigerating compartmentdoor 21 at sides of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21. Thefiller 26 may be configured to shield a space (or gap) between therefrigerating compartment doors 21 disposed on both left and right sidesof the refrigerating compartment door 21 when the refrigeratingcompartment door 21 is closed.

For this, the filler 26 may be provided at one end of the refrigeratingcompartment door 21, that is, at one end that is far from the end atwhich the hinge device 23 is mounted. In addition, the filler 26 may berotatably mounted. Also, in a state in which the refrigeratingcompartment door 21 is opened, the filler 26 may be in a folded state,and in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed,the filler 26 may be in a closed state to shield a gap between the pairof refrigerating compartment doors 21. For this, a filler guide 103 maybe disposed at a front end of a top surface of the refrigeratingcompartment 12. The filler guide 103 may be disposed inside a center ofthe refrigerating compartment 12, and when the refrigerating compartmentdoor 21 is closed, the filler 26 may be inserted to guide the rotationof the filler 26.

A dispenser 24 and an ice maker 252 may be provided in the refrigeratingcompartment door disposed at one side of the pair of refrigeratingcompartment doors 21.

The dispenser 24 may be disposed on a front surface of the refrigeratingcompartment door 21, and a user may manipulate the dispenser 24 from theoutside to dispense water or ice. Also, an ice making chamber 25 isprovided above the dispenser 24.

The ice making chamber 25 may be provided in a rear surface of therefrigerating compartment door 21 to define an insulating space in whichice is made and stored, and the ice maker 252 may be mounted in the icemaking chamber 25. In addition, the ice making chamber 25 may beconfigured to be opened and closed by the ice making chamber door 251.

The ice making chamber 25 may communicate with the dispenser 24, andthus, ice in the ice making chamber 25 may be dispensed by amanipulation of the dispenser 24.

Cold air generated in (or by) the freezing compartment evaporator 131may be supplied into the ice making chamber 25 to perform an ice makingoperation in the ice maker 252. For this, an ice making passage 14 forsupplying the cold air into the ice making chamber 25 may be provided inthe cabinet 10. The ice making passage 14 may be provided between theouter case 101 and the inner case 102 and may be disposed by beingburied in the insulating material. The ice making passage 14 may bedisposed on one side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21 atone side of the left and right side surfaces.

The ice making passage 14 may include a supply duct 141 for supplyingthe cold air into the ice making chamber 25 and a return duct 142 inwhich the heat-exchanged air in the ice making chamber 25 is disposed.

The supply duct 141 may extend from a rear end of the freezingcompartment 13, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 isdisposed, to one side surface of the refrigerating compartment 12. Thatis, in the state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 isclosed, the space, in which the freezing compartment evaporator 131 isdisposed, and the inside of the ice making chamber 25 may communicatewith each other to guide the cold air of the freezing compartmentevaporator 131 to the ice making chamber 25.

The return duct 142 may extend from one side surface of therefrigerating compartment 12, which is in contact with the refrigeratingcompartment door 21 in the closed state, to a lower portion of thefreezing compartment 13. That is, in the state in which therefrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the freezing compartment 13and the inside of the ice making chamber 25 may communicate with eachother to guide the air, which is heat-exchanged for the ice making inthe ice making chamber 25, to the freezing compartment 13.

A supply opening 141 a and a return opening 142 a, which are disposed atends of the supply duct 141 and the return duct 142 constituting the icemaking passage 14, respectively, may be opened at the side surface ofthe refrigerator compartment 12 adjacent to the refrigerator compartmentdoor 21. The supply opening 141 a and the return opening 142 a maycommunicate with a passage connected to the ice making chamber 25 at theside surface of the refrigerating compartment door 21 when therefrigerating compartment door 21 is closed.

The other end of the supply duct 141 may be opened at one wall surfaceof the inner case 102 to communicate with the space, in which thefreezing compartment evaporator 131 is disposed, to define a duct inlet141 b. The other end of the return duct 142 may be opened at one wallsurface of the inner case 102 adjacent to a suction hole, through whichthe cold air is suctioned to a lower portion of the freezing compartment13 (i.e., the freezing compartment evaporator 131).

Thus, in the state in which the refrigerating compartment door 21 isclosed, the space, in which the ice making chamber 25, the freezingcompartment 13, and the space, in which the freezing compartmentevaporator 131 is disposed, communicate with each other, may be defined.

To provide such a structure, at least a portion of the ice makingpassage 14 (i.e., the supply duct 141 and the return duct 142) may bedisposed on the side wall surface of the refrigerating compartment 12.Thus, the cold air flowing through the ice making passage 14 maypenetrate into the refrigerating compartment 12.

The cold air transferred to the inside of the refrigerating compartment12 by the ice making passage 14 may not be large enough to causesupercooling or storage performance of the refrigerating compartment 12.However, when the defrosting operation for removing frost generated onthe refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is performed, the cold airtransferred from the ice making passage 14 may affect the defrostingoperation (S200). Particularly, in the case of natural defrosting, inwhich high-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 isforcibly introduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121 to remove the frost of the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121, efficiency of the defrosting operation (S200) maydeteriorate due to the penetration of the cold air. Thus, during thedefrosting operation, the filler heater 265, disposed on the filler 26,may operate to more efficiently perform the defrosting operation.

A structure of the filler 26 will be described in more detail withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerating compartmentdoor of the refrigerator. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline V-V′ of FIG. 1.

The filler 26 may be provided at the refrigerating compartment door 21,in which the ice making chamber 25 is defined, of the pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors 21 disposed side by side on the left andright sides. The filler 26 may be provided at one end opposite to oneend, on which the hinge device 23 is mounted, of both left and rightends. That is, the filler 26 may be provided at one end of the pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors 21 adjacent to each other and beconfigured to shield a space (or shield a gap) between the pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors 21 when the pair of refrigeratingcompartment doors 21 are closed.

The filler 26 may extend long in a vertical direction along one end ofthe refrigerating compartment door 21. In addition, the filler 26 may berotatably connected to the refrigerating compartment door 21 by aconnection member 262. The connection member 262 may be verticallyprovided in plurality. In addition, the connection member 262 may beprovided with an elastic member so that, when the refrigeratingcompartment door 21 is opened, the filler 26 is folded into therefrigerating compartment door 21 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

A guide protrusion 261 may be disposed on an upper end of the filler 26.The guide protrusion 261 may be inserted into an opening groove of thefiller guide 103 when the refrigerator compartment door 21 is closed. Asurface on which the guide protrusion 261 and the filler guide 103 arein contact with each other may be rounded, and the filler 26 may berotatably unfolded while the refrigerator compartment door 21 is closed.

When all of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 are closed,the filler 26 may be unfolded as illustrated in FIG. 5, and each ofgaskets 27 provided on the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21may be in close contact with a front surface of the filler 26. Thus, thefiller 26 may prevent the cold air of the refrigerating compartment 12from leaking through between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors21 when the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 21 are closed.

The filler 26 may define an outer appearance and may include a fillercase 263 filled with the insulating material therein, and a filler cover264 defining a front surface of the filler case 263. The filler cover264 may be made of a steel material and may be in contact with thegasket 27.

A filler heater 265 may be provided inside the filler case 263. Thefiller heater 265 may heat the filler cover 264 and may prevent dewcondensation from occurring on the filler cover 264 and the gasket 27that is in contact with the filler cover 264.

Although the dew condensation occurs between the pair of refrigeratingcompartment doors 21, which are relatively poorly insulated due to atemperature difference between the cold air inside the refrigeratingcompartment 12 and external air, the front surface of the filler 26, orone side of the gasket 27 that is contact with the filler 26, the filler26, in particularly, the front surface of the filler 26 may be heatedbased on operation of the filler heater 265 to prevent the dewcondensation from occurring.

The filler heater 265 may be configured as a heater made of a wirematerial and may be vertically disposed inside the filler 26. Inaddition, the filler heater 265 may be disposed in close contact withthe front surface of the filler 26. In addition, the filler heater 265may be disposed along a circumference of the filler 26 or be bentseveral times to define an overall length that is longer than a lengthof the filler 26 and may increase in contact area with the front surfaceof the filler 26.

An on/off operation of the filler heater 265 may be controlled by acontroller 30. The filler heater 265 may detect a temperature of anexternal space, in which the refrigerator 1 is installed, which isdetected by a temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator, todetermine an operation period thereof. For example, when the temperaturedetected by the temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigeratorincreases, and a temperature difference with the refrigeratingcompartment 12 increases, the operation period of the filler heater 265may be shortened to effectively prevent the dew condensation fromoccurring. In addition, since the internal temperature of therefrigerating compartment 12 increases when an operation time of thefiller heater 265 is prolonged, the operation of the filler heater 265may be controlled by the controller 30 at an optimal cycle.

While the refrigerating compartment 12 operates normally, the controller30 may set and control the operation cycle according to the detectedtemperature of the external air, which is detected by the temperaturesensor 33 outside the refrigerator, but in even the case, in which thenatural defrosting operation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator121 is performed, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to moreefficiently perform the natural defrosting operation of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121.

The operation of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment will bedescribed in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a control signal in therefrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchartsequentially illustrating processes of performing the defrostingoperation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

The refrigerator 1 may operate so that the refrigerating compartment 12and the freezing compartment 13 are maintained to set temperatures inthe normal operation state. That is, the controller 30 may controloperations of the compressor 34, the refrigerating compartment fan 122,and the freezing compartment fan 132 according to the temperatures ofthe refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13, whichare detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 sothat the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13are maintained to a set temperature or temperature range.

The controller 30 may allow the filler heater 265 to operate in a setcycle according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 33(outside the refrigerator 1), thereby preventing the dew condensationfrom occurring on an adjacent portion between the pair of refrigeratingcompartment doors 21. [S100]

While the normal operation of the refrigerator 1 is performed, moistureof food stored in the refrigerating compartment 12 or moistureintroduced when the refrigerating compartment door 21 is opened orclosed may be deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121.In addition, when frost generated on the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121 is grown, cooling performance of the refrigeratingcompartment 12 may deteriorate. As a result, a defrosting operation(S200) of removing the frost generated on the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121 may be performed.

According to this embodiment, in the defrosting operation (S200), therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may not be directly heated by aheater attached to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, buthigh-temperature air of the refrigerating compartment 12 may be suppliedto the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 to remove the frost.Thus, the defrosting operation may be referred to as a naturaldefrosting operation (S200) so as to be distinguished from a defrostingoperation in which the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 isdirectly heated using a heater.

The defrosting operation (S200) may be performed at a set period toprevent the frost from being grown on the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121. For example, in the defrosting operation S200, thecontroller 30 may determine an appropriate time point by accumulatingthe operation time of the compressor 34 to input (or provide) a defrostsignal. The defrosting operation (S200) may be performed every setperiod by the controller 30 and also may be set to a period based on thenumber of times of opening and closing of the refrigerator compartmentdoor 21, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 insidethe refrigerator and/or the defrosting temperature sensor 31 as well asthe operating time of the compressor 34. [S210]

When a starting signal of the defrosting operation (S200) is input (orprovided) from the controller 30, the controller 30 may stop theoperation of the compressor 34 to stop the supply of the refrigerant tothe refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. When the supply of thecold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is stopped, thetemperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longerlowered. Of course, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34may be switched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator131. In this case, the cold air may be supplied through the ice makingpassage 14 and also may allow ice to be made in the ice maker 252.

Also, when the compressor 34 is stopped, the controller 30 may turn onthe refrigerating compartment fan 122. When the refrigeratingcompartment fan 122 is driven, air inside the refrigerating compartment12 may be continuously introduced into (or to) the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121. The temperature of the refrigeratingcompartment 12 may be approximately 0° C. or more, which is higher thanthat of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Therefore, whensupplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, thetemperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease.

That is, as the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, thehigh-temperature air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may beintroduced into (or to) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 andthen be discharged to the refrigerating compartment 12 by passing (orpassing through) the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Inaddition, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12 may beusually about 3° C. to about 5° C. When the high-temperature air insidethe refrigerating compartment 12 is supplied to the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121, the temperature of the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may increase, and thus, the frost generatedon the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may melt and may beremoved. [S220]

The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265 according to theinput of the signal of the defrosting operation (S200). The fillerheater 265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set periodduring the normal operation, but may be controlled to maintain the ONstate during the defrosting operation (S200) by the controller 30.

When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. At the same time, heat of thefiller 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigerating compartment12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated by the heatpenetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. The heated air insidethe refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously supplied to therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by the operation of therefrigerating compartment fan 122.

That is, if the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state duringthe defrosting operation (S200), the frost of the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may be more effectively removed, and a timetaken to reach the set temperature for completing the defrosting may beshortened.

During the defrosting operation (S200), when the supply of therefrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cut off,the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heat to theinside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time, therefrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature air ofthe refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through therefrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frostgenerated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The fillerheater 265 may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turningoff the compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan.[S230]

The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 andthe refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31.

When the defrosting operation (S200) starts, the temperature detected bythe defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be maintained in the depositedstate at a temperature below zero, but the temperature detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31 may gradually increase by the drivingof the refrigerating compartment fan 122 and the filler heater 265. Inaddition, the frost that has been deposited on the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may be removed by beginning to be melted whenthe temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reachesabout 0° C. or more.

The controller 30 may determine completion of the defrosting operationS200 through the temperature detected by the defrosting temperaturesensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperature detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than about 3° C. to about 5°C. corresponding to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12,the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may becontinuously maintained in the ON state.

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches a set temperature, for example, about 3° C. to about 5° C., thecontroller 30 may determine that the frost deposited on therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is sufficiently removed so thatthe temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121increases and thus determine that the defrosting operation (S200) iscompleted. [S240]

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches the set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off the fillerheater 265 to complete the defrosting operation (S200) and finish thedefrosting operation (S200). Also, when the filler heater 265 isstopped, the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also be stopped.

When the defrosting operation (S200) is completed, the operation mayreturn to the normal operation to cool the refrigerating compartment 12.That is, driving of the compressor 34 may start to supply the cold airto the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, and driving of therefrigerating compartment fan 122 may also start to supply the cold airof the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 into the refrigeratingcompartment 12.

The operation of the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan122 may be controlled according to the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 so that therefrigerating compartment 12 is maintained to the set temperature.

In the defrosting operation (S200), when the temperature of therefrigerating compartment 12 increases up to an excessively hightemperature at once, a storage state of the food stored in therefrigerating compartment 12 may not be maintained in an optimal state,and thus, the defrosting operation (S200′) may be divided into aplurality of processes.

Another embodiment in which the defrosting operation (S200′) is dividedinto the plurality of processes will be described. In anotherembodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same componentsas those of the foregoing embodiment, and a detailed description thereofmay be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating processes of performinga defrosting operation of a refrigerator according to anotherembodiment.

As illustrated in the drawing, the refrigerator 1 may operate normallyso that each of the refrigerating compartment 12 and the freezingcompartment 13 are maintained at a set temperature or a temperaturerange. For this, the controller 30 may control operations of thecompressor 34, the refrigerating compartment fan 122, and the freezingcompartment fan 132 according to a temperature detected by a temperaturesensor inside the refrigerator 1. In addition, the controller 30 maycontrol an operation of the filler heater 265 according to a temperaturedetected by a temperature sensor 33 outside the refrigerator 1 toprevent dew condensation from occurring. [S100]

The controller 30 may perform a defrosting operation (S200′) at anappropriate time point to prevent frost from being generated on therefrigerator compartment evaporator 121 and thereby to deterioratecooling efficiency during the normal operation of the refrigerator 1.The defrosting operation (S200′) may include a first defrostingoperation process 260, a rapid cooling operation process 270, and asecond defrosting operation process 280, which are initially performed.

The controller 30 may input (or provide) a defrost signal byaccumulating the operating time point of the compressor 34 to determinean appropriate time point for starting the defrosting operation (S200′).The defrosting operation (S200′) may be performed every set period bythe controller 30 and also may be set based on the number of times ofopening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 21 or thetemperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 inside therefrigerator or the defrosting temperature sensor 31 as well as theoperating time of the compressor 34. [S261]

When starting the defrosting operation (i.e., a starting signal of thefirst defrosting operation process 260 is input from the controller 30),the controller 30 may stop the operation of the compressor 34 to stopthe supply of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121. When the supply of the cold air to the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 is stopped, the temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longer lowered. Ofcourse, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may beswitched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 131. Inthis case, the cold air may be supplied through the ice making passage14 and also may allow ice to be made in the ice maker 252.

The controller 30 may turn on the refrigerating compartment fan 122.When the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, air inside therefrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously introduced to (or into)the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Here, the temperature ofthe refrigerating compartment 12 may be about 0° C. or more, which ishigher than that of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121.Therefore, when supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121 increases, the frost deposited on the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may melt and may be removed.

The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265. The filler heater265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set period during thenormal operation (S100), but may be controlled to maintain the ON stateduring the first defrosting operation process 260 by the controller 30.

When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. Also, at the same time, heatof the filler 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigeratingcompartment 12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated bythe heat penetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. In addition,the heated air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may becontinuously supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 bythe operation of the refrigerating compartment fan 122.

If the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state during the firstdefrosting operation process 260, the frost of the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may be more effectively removed, and a timetaken to reach the set temperature for completing the first defrostingoperation process 260 may be shortened.

During the first defrosting operation process 260, when the supply ofthe refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cutoff, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heatto the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time,the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature airof the refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through therefrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frostgenerated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The fillerheater may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turning offthe compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan. [S263]

The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 andthe refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31.

When the first defrosting operation process 260 starts, the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be maintained inthe deposited state at a temperature below zero, but the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may gradually increaseby the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 and the fillerheater 265. In addition, the frost that has been deposited on therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be removed by beginning tobe melted when the temperature detected by the defrosting temperaturesensor 31 reaches about 0° C. or more.

The controller 30 may determine the completion of the first defrostingoperation process 260 through the temperature detected by the defrostingtemperature sensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than about 3°C., the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 maybe continuously maintained in the ON state.

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches a set temperature, for example, approximately 3° C., thecontroller 30 may determine that the first defrosting operation process260 is sufficiently performed and may determine that the firstdefrosting operation process 260 is completed.

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches a first set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off thefiller heater 265 to complete the first defrosting operation process260. The refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also be stopped. [S265]

If the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 12continuously increases after the first defrosting operation process 260is completed, the food stored in the refrigerating compartment 12 may bedeteriorated or damaged. Thus, when the first defrosting operationprocess 260 is completed, the controller 30 may perform the rapidcooling operation process 270 for rapidly cooling the refrigeratingcompartment 12.

For the rapid cooling operation process 270, the controller may turn offthe filler heater 265 and turn on the compressor 34 and therefrigerating compartment fan 122 to supply the cold air generated inthe refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 to the refrigeratingcompartment 12.

The rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed for a shorttime for efficiency of the subsequent second defrosting operationprocess 280 and may operate at a temperature that is significantly lowerthan a target temperature during the normal operation (S100). Forexample, the rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed untilthe temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 detectedby the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is about −20° C. or less. Thecompressor 34 may operate at a maximum output to rapidly cool therefrigerating compartment 12.

The rapid cooling operation process 270 may be ended when the defrostingtemperature sensor 31 or the temperature sensor 32 inside therefrigerator 1 reaches the target temperature. Of course, if necessary,the rapid cooling operation process 270 may be performed for a set timeregardless of the temperature. [S270]

When the rapid cooling operation process 270 is ended, the controller 30may perform again a second defrosting operation process 280 foradditionally removing the frost remaining on the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121.

When the restarting of the defrosting operation (S200′) (i.e., astarting signal of the second defrosting operation process 280 is inputfrom the controller 30), the controller 30 may stop the operation of thecompressor 34 to stop the supply of the refrigerant to the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121. When the supply of the cold air to therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is stopped, the temperature ofthe refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is no longer lowered. Ofcourse, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 34 may beswitched to be supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator 131.

The controller 30 may turn on the refrigerating compartment fan 122.When the refrigerating compartment fan 122 is driven, air inside therefrigerating compartment 12 may be continuously introduced into (or to)the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. Here, the temperature ofthe refrigerating compartment 12 may be about 0° C. or more, which ishigher than that of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121.Therefore, when supplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator121, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartmentevaporator 121 increases, the frost deposited on the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 121 may melt and may be removed. [S282]

The controller 30 may turn on the filler heater 265. The filler heater265 may operate while being turned on and off at a set period during thenormal operation (S100), but may be controlled to maintain the ON stateduring the second defrosting operation process 280 by the controller 30.

When the filler heater 265 is turned on, the front surface of the filler26 may be heated by the filler heater 265. At the same time, heat of thefiller 26 may penetrate into the inside of the refrigerating compartment12, and the refrigerating compartment 12 may be heated by the heatpenetrated into the refrigerating compartment 12. In addition, theheated air inside the refrigerating compartment 12 may be continuouslysupplied to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 by theoperation of the refrigerating compartment fan 122.

That is, if the filler heater 265 is maintained in the ON state duringthe second defrosting operation process 280, the frost of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be more effectivelyremoved, and a time taken to reach the set temperature for completingthe second defrosting operation process 280 may be shortened.

During the second defrosting operation process 280, when the supply ofthe refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is cutoff, the filler heater 265 may be turned on to provide additional heatto the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12, and at the same time,the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may allow the high-temperature airof the refrigerating compartment 12 to continuously pass through therefrigerating compartment fan 122 so that the temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 increases to remove the frostgenerated on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121. The fillerheater 265 may be turned on simultaneously with the operation of turningoff the compressor and turning on the refrigerating compartment fan.[S283]

The temperature of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 mayincrease based on the continuous operation of the filler heater 265 andthe refrigerating compartment fan 122. The temperature of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31.

When the second defrosting operation process 280 starts, the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 may be in a state inwhich the frost is deposited at a temperature below zero, but thetemperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 maygradually increase by the driving of the refrigerating compartment fan122 and the filler heater 265. In addition, the frost that has beendeposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 may be removedby beginning to be melted when the temperature detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches about 0° C. or more.

The controller 30 may determine the completion of the second defrostingoperation process 280 through the temperature detected by the defrostingtemperature sensor 31. In the controller 30, when the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 is lower than a secondset temperature, the filler heater 265 and the refrigerating compartmentfan 122 may be continuously maintained in the ON state.

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches the second set temperature, for example, approximately 5° C.,the controller 30 may determine that the second defrosting operationprocess 280 is sufficiently performed and may determine that the seconddefrosting operation process 280 is completed.

The second set temperature may be a temperature that is higher than thefirst set temperature and a temperature at which the removal of thefrost on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is secured, andmay be in a range in which the temperature inside the refrigeratingcompartment 12 does not excessively increase.

Since the second set temperature of the second defrosting operationprocess 280 is higher than the first set temperature, the seconddefrosting operation process 280 may be performed for a time that islonger than that of the first defrosting operation process 260. [S284]

When the temperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31reaches a first set temperature, the controller 30 may turn off thefiller heater 265 to complete the first defrosting operation process260, i.e., the defrosting operation (S200′). Here, the refrigeratingcompartment fan 122 may also be stopped. [S285]

When the defrosting operation (S200′) is completed, the operation mayreturn to the normal operation (S100) to cool the refrigeratingcompartment 12. That is, the driving of the compressor 34 may start tosupply the cold air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121, andthe driving of the refrigerating compartment fan 122 may also start tosupply the cold air of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 intothe refrigerating compartment 12.

The operation of the compressor 34 and the refrigerating compartment fan122 may be controlled according to the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 32 inside the refrigerator 1 so that therefrigerating compartment 12 is maintained to the set temperature.

A change in state of the refrigerator during the defrosting operation ofthe refrigerator 1 according to the foregoing embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation state when thefiller heater does not operate in the refrigerator according to anembodiment. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a defrosting operation statewhen the filler heater operates in the refrigerator according to anembodiment.

As illustrated in the drawings, when the filler heater 265 is not drivenwhile the defrosting operation is being performed, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the defrosting operation may be performed for about 6 hours andthen be ended so that the temperature detected by the defrostingtemperature sensor 31 reaches the set temperature (about 5° C.) at whichthe frost deposited on the refrigerating compartment evaporator 121 iscompletely removed.

However, as in this embodiment, when the defrosting operation (S200′) isperformed, if the filler heater 265 is turned on, an additional amountof heat may be provided to the refrigerating compartment 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the defrosting operations 200 and 200′ may beperformed for about 4 hours and then ended so that the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches the settemperature (about 5° C.) at which the frost deposited on therefrigerating compartment evaporator 121 is completely removed.

In detail, in the defrosting operation (S200′), the filler heater 265may be turned on during the first defrosting operation process, and atemperature of the filler heater 265 and the temperature detected by thedefrosting temperature sensor 31 may continuously increase. The firstdefrosting operation process 260 may be performed until the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches a first settemperature T1 (approximately 3° C.), and the temperature of the fillerheater may continuously increase to reach a first filter temperature T3(about 8° C.).

After the first defrosting operation process 260 is ended, the rapidcooling operation process (S270) is performed so that the compressor 34and the refrigerating compartment fan 122 operate, and the filler heater265 is turned off. Thus, the temperatures of the defrosting temperaturesensor 31 and the filler heater 265 decrease.

When the rapid cooling operation process S270 is ended, the seconddefrosting operation process 280 may be performed. The filler heater 265may be turned on during the second defrosting operation process 280, andthe temperature of the filler heater 265 and the temperature detected bythe defrosting temperature sensor 31 may continuously increase. Thesecond defrosting operation process 280 may be performed until thetemperature detected by the defrosting temperature sensor 31 reaches afirst set temperature T2 (approximately 5° C.), and the temperature ofthe filler heater may continuously increase to reach a second filtertemperature T4 (about 12° C.).

The second set temperature T2 may be relatively higher than the firstset temperature T1. Thus, the second defrosting operation process 280may be performed longer than the first defrosting operation processS260. Also, until the second defrosting operation step 280 is completed,the filler heater 265 may be continuously turned on to continuouslyprovide heat to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 12.

When the second defrosting operation step 280 is completed, thecontroller 30 may turn off the filler heater 265, and the compressor 34and the refrigerator compartment fan 122 may be driven to cool therefrigerator compartment 12 again, and thus, the process may returnagain to the normal operation.

In the drawings, although the defrosting operations S200 and S200′ areperformed at one time, the defrosting operations S200 and S200′ may berepeatedly performed at a set period by the controller 30.

The refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigeratoraccording to the embodiment may have the following effects.

According to the embodiment, when the defrosting operation is performedto remove the frost formed on the refrigerating compartment evaporator,the filler heater may be turned on to provide the heat into therefrigerating compartment. Therefore, the air may be supplied into therefrigerating compartment, which is heated by the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator, due to the driving of the refrigeratingcompartment fan to improve the natural defrosting efficiency inside therefrigerating compartment.

That is, when compared to the manner according to the related art, inwhich the refrigerating compartment evaporator is directly heated by theheater through the defrosting operation, the power consumption may besignificantly reduced. In addition, even in the case of the naturaldefrosting, the filler heater may be used to additionally apply the heatinto the refrigerating compartment, and thus, the defrosting operationtime may be reduced to reduce the power consumption and maintain theoptimal state of the food in the refrigerating compartment.

Particularly, the filler heater may be disposed to prevent the dewcondensation from occurring on the pair of refrigerating compartmentdoors and may be used for performing the defrosting operation as well aspreventing the dew condensation from occurring on the refrigeratingcompartment doors to significantly improve the efficiency of thedefrosting operation without adding the separate heater and changing theconfiguration of the refrigerator.

When the ice making chamber, in which the ice is made, is provided inthe refrigerating compartment door, and the ice making passage forsupplying the cold air of the freezing compartment evaporator to the icemaking chamber is provided on the side surface of the cabinet, a portionof the ice making passage may be disposed on the wall surface of therefrigerating compartment to transfer the cold air to the inside of therefrigerator.

As described above, the cold air transferred to the inside of therefrigerator may not have a limitation in the general normal operation,but the defrosting time may become longer in the natural defrosting forforcibly supplying the air of the refrigerating compartment to heat therefrigerating compartment evaporator. The filer heater may be driven tosupply a greater amount of heat than that of the cold air transferredthrough the ice making passage, and thus, even in the naturaldefrosting, the inside of the refrigerating compartment may beeffectively heated to improve the efficiency of the defrostingoperation.

That is, in this embodiment, when the defrosting operation is performed,the filler heater may be driven to prevent the defrosting operationefficiency from being deteriorated in even the structure, in which theice maker is disposed in the refrigerating compartment door, and the icemaking passage is disposed in the region of the refrigeratingcompartment, thereby effectively performing the defrosting operation.

The defrosting operation may be performed by dividing the firstdefrosting operation process, the quick cooling operation process, andthe second defrosting operation process. In the first defrostingoperation process and the second defrosting operation process, the heatmay be applied to the inside of the refrigerating compartment by thefiller heater. Particularly, in the second defrosting operation processin which the target set temperature is high, the target set temperaturemay be quickly reached by the filler heater, and also, the time taken toperform the second defrosting operation process, in which the target settemperature is relatively high, may be minimized to prevent the damageof the food while maintaining the defrosting performance.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which defrosting operationefficiency is improved to reduce power consumption, and a method forcontrolling the refrigerator.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a filler heateroperates when a defrosting operation is performed to additionallyprovide heat during the defrosting operation, and a method forcontrolling the refrigerator.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a time taken to performa defrosting operation is reduced in the refrigerator in which a coldair passage is provided toward an ice maker in a region of arefrigerating compartment, and a method for controlling therefrigerator.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet in which arefrigerating compartment cooled by cold air, which is supplied by arefrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartmentfan, and a freezing compartment cooled by cold air, which is supplied bya freezing compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan, aredefined; a pair of doors configured to be opened and closed by rotationof the refrigerating compartment; a filler provided on one of the pairof doors to shield a gap between the pair of doors in a state in whichthe pair of doors are closed; a filler heater provided inside thefiller; and a controller configured to control operations of therefrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartment fan, the fillerheater, and a compressor, wherein, when the refrigerating compartmentevaporator performs a defrosting operation, the controller turns on therefrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater in state in that thecompressor turns off so that heated air inside the refrigeratingcompartment is circulated to pass through the refrigerating compartmentevaporator.

The filler heater may be turned on or off according to a temperature ofexternal air, which is detected by a temperature sensor outside therefrigerator, and be maintained in the state of turned on during thedefrosting operation.

The filler heater may be turned on when the defrosting operation startsand be turned off when the defrosting operation is ended.

The filler heater may be maintained in the state of being turned onuntil a temperature detected by a defrosting temperature sensorconfigured to detect a temperature of the evaporator reaches a settemperature.

When the defrosting operation is performed, the controller may beconfigured to: turn off the filter heater when the temperature detectedby the defrosting temperature sensor reaches a first set temperature toquickly cool the refrigerating compartment; and turn on again the fillerheater after the quick cooling operation is completed, to turn off thefiller heater when the temperature detected by the defrostingtemperature sensor reaches a second set temperature.

The second set temperature may be set to be higher than the first settemperature.

The first set temperature may be set to a temperature of about 3° C.,the second set temperature may be set to a temperature of about 5° C.

When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor and therefrigerating compartment fan may be turned on.

When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor mayoperate for a set time at a maximum output.

When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor mayoperate until the temperature detected by the defrosting temperaturesensor is lower than a temperature during a normal operation.

The refrigerating compartment door may include: an ice making chamber inwhich an ice maker configured to make ice is accommodated, the icemaking chamber being configured to define an insulation space; and adispenser configured to communicate with the ice making chamber anddispense the made ice from the outside, wherein an ice making passagethrough which the freezing compartment and the ice making chamber maycommunicate with each other to supply the cool air for making the ice isprovided in the cabinet.

At least a portion of the ice making passage may pass through a regionof the refrigerating compartment.

The ice making passage may include: a supply duct configured tocommunicate with a space, in which the freezing compartment evaporatoris disposed, so as to supply the cold air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator to the ice making chamber; and a return ductconfigured to communicate with the freezing compartment so as to collectair inside the ice making chamber into the freezing compartment, whereinopenings of the supply duct and the return duct may be exposed through awall surface of the refrigerating compartment and communicate with theinside of the ice making chamber in the state, in which therefrigerating compartment door is closed.

When the defrosting operation is performed, a refrigerant dischargedfrom the compressor may be supplied to the freezing compartmentevaporator, and the cold air generated in the freezing compartmentevaporator may be supplied to the ice making chamber through the supplyduct.

The filler heater may be configured to supply heat into therefrigerating compartment in the turn-on state.

The heat of the filler heater may be greater than that due to the coolair transferred into the refrigerating compartment through the icemaking passage.

The filler may include a filler cover of which at least a portion ismade of a steel material, and the filler heater may be in contact withthe filler cover to heat the filler cover.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator, in whicha refrigerating compartment is opened and closed by a pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors, and a filler configured to shield a gapbetween the pair of refrigerating compartment doors in a state in whichthe pair of refrigerating compartment doors are closed, includes:inputting a defrosting signal so that a defrosting operation startsduring a normal operation; turning off a compressor according to theinput of the defrosting signal and turning on a refrigeratingcompartment fan to circulate air inside the refrigerating compartment soas to pass through an evaporator; turning on the filler heater to supplyheat into the refrigerating compartment; maintaining the turn-on stateof the filler heater until a temperature detected by a defrostingtemperature sensor that detects a temperature of the evaporator reachesa set temperature; and turning off the filler heater to end a defrostingoperation so as to return to the normal operation when the temperaturedetected by the defrosting temperature sensor reaches the settemperature.

When the normal operation is performed, the compressor and the fan maybe turned off so that the refrigerating compartment is maintained to aset temperature.

When the normal operation is performed, the filler hater may becontrolled according to an external temperature.

The defrosting operation may include: performing a primary defrostingoperation to apply heat until the temperature detected by the defrostingtemperature sensor reaches a first set temperature in the state in whichthe filler heater is turned on; performing a quick cooling operation toturn off the filler heater when the primary defrosting operation iscompleted and to cool the inside of the refrigerator for a set time in astate in which the compressor is turned on; perform a secondarydefrosting operation to turn off the compressor when the quick coolingoperation is completed and apply heat until the temperature detected bythe defrosting temperature sensor reaches a second set temperaturehigher than the detected first set temperature in the state in which thefiller heater is turned on.

The second set temperature may be set to be higher than the first settemperature.

When the quick cooling operation is performed, the compressor may bedriven at a maximum output.

The secondary defrosting operation may be performed for a longer timethan that for the primary defrosting operation.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectionillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments(and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes ofthe illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofsuch phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection withany embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet thatsupports a refrigerating compartment to be cooled by air from arefrigerating compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartmentfan, and a freezing compartment to be cooled by air from a freezingcompartment evaporator and a freezing compartment fan; a pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors configured to open and close therefrigerating compartment; a filler provided on one of the doors toshield a gap between the pair of refrigerating compartment doors whenthe doors are closed relative to the refrigerating compartment; a fillerheater provided in the filler; and a controller configured to controloperation of the refrigerating compartment fan, the freezing compartmentfan, the filler heater, and a compressor, wherein, when a defrostingoperation is to be performed, the controller is to turn on therefrigerating compartment fan and the filler heater while the compressoris turned off such that air inside the refrigerating compartment is topass the refrigerating compartment evaporator.
 2. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor to detecttemperature of external air outside of the refrigerator, and wherein thecontroller is configured to control the filler heater to be turned on oroff based on the detected temperature of the external air, and thecontroller is configured to control the filler heater to maintain beingturned on during the defrosting operation.
 3. The refrigerator accordingto claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the fillerheater to be turned on during the defrosting operation and to be turnedoff when the defrosting operation is to end.
 4. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, comprising a defrosting temperature sensorconfigured to detect a temperature of the refrigerating compartmentevaporator, and the controller is configured to control the fillerheater to maintain to be turned on until the detected temperaturereaches a set temperature.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4,wherein, when the defrosting operation is to be performed, thecontroller is configured to: control a quick cool operation of therefrigerating compartment by turning the filter heater off when thedetected temperature reaches a first set temperature; control the fillerheater to turn the filler heater on again after completing the quickcooling operation, and control the filler heater to turn the fillerheater off when the detected temperature reaches a second settemperature.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein thesecond set temperature is higher than the first set temperature.
 7. Therefrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the first set temperature isset to approximately 3° C., and the second set temperature is set toapproximately 5° C.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,when the quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller isconfigured to control the compressor and the refrigerating compartmentfan to be turned on.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein,when the quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller isconfigured to control the compressor to operate for a set time at amaximum output.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein, whenthe quick cooling operation is to be performed, the controller isconfigured to control the compressor to operate until the detectedtemperature is less than a target temperature.
 11. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, wherein one of the refrigerating compartment doorscomprises: an ice making chamber to accommodate an ice maker configuredto make ice; and a dispenser configured to communicate with the icemaking chamber and dispense the ice, wherein an ice making passage isprovided between the freezing compartment and the ice making chamber tosupply the air for making the ice.
 12. The refrigerator according toclaim 11, wherein at least a portion of the ice making passage passesthrough the refrigerating compartment.
 13. The refrigerator according toclaim 11, wherein the ice making passage comprises: a supply ductconfigured to supply the air from the freezing compartment evaporator tothe ice making chamber; and a return duct configured to provide air frominside the ice making chamber to the freezing compartment, whereinopenings of the supply duct and the return duct are exposed at a wallsurface of the refrigerating compartment and communicate with the icemaking chamber when the one of the refrigerating compartment doors isclosed.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein, when thedefrosting operation is to be performed, a refrigerant discharged fromthe compressor is supplied to the freezing compartment evaporator, andthe air from the freezing compartment evaporator is supplied by thesupply duct to the ice making chamber.
 15. The refrigerator according toclaim 11, wherein the filler heater is configured to supply heat intothe refrigerating compartment.
 16. The refrigerator according to claim15, wherein the heat of the filler heater is greater than airtransferred into the refrigerating compartment through the ice makingpassage.
 17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the fillercomprises a filler cover made of a steel material, and the filler heateris in contact with the filler cover to heat the filler cover.
 18. Amethod for controlling a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartmentto be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating compartment doors,and having a filler configured to shield a gap between the pair ofrefrigerating compartment doors when the pair of refrigeratingcompartment doors are closed, the method comprising: providing adefrosting signal to start a defrosting operation; controlling acompressor to be off based on the defrosting signal and controlling arefrigerating compartment fan to circulate air in the refrigeratingcompartment so as to pass an evaporator; controlling the filler heaterto supply heat to the refrigerating compartment; maintaining the fillerheater to be on until a temperature detected by a defrosting temperaturesensor of the evaporator reaches a set temperature; and controlling thefiller heater to be off to end the defrosting operation when thedetected temperature reaches the set temperature.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the defrosting operation comprises:performing a first defrosting operation to apply heat until the detectedtemperature reaches a first set temperature while the filler heater isturned on; performing a quick cooling operation to turn the fillerheater off when the first defrosting operation is completed and to coolthe refrigerator for a set time when the compressor is turned on; andperform a second defrosting operation to turn off the compressor whenthe quick cooling operation is completed and apply heat until thedetected temperature reaches a second set temperature higher than thefirst set temperature while the filler heater is turned on.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein the performing of the seconddefrosting operation is a longer time than the performing of the firstdefrosting operation.